Researchers at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center discovered a new approach to help overcome immunotherapy resistance. Copper-induced cell death, known as cuproptosis, activates the immune system and can be combined with anti-PD-L1 immunotherapy to slow tumor growth.
Researchers at UT MD Anderson Cancer Center have achieved high response rates in patients with hard-to-treat acute myeloid leukemia (AML) using an all-oral combination therapy. The study also provides insights into the origins of cancer, revealing that tumors evolve rapidly through bursts of genetic changes.
A spatial map of muscle-invasive bladder cancer reveals organized tumor cell states, immune environments, and therapeutic vulnerabilities. Luminal-like cells are found in tumor cores with relevant therapeutic markers, while basal-like cells near margins show signs of aggressiveness. This study guides treatment strategies by accounting ...
Researchers found that radiation therapy not only targets tumor cells but also activates immune pathways to make tumors more receptive to immunotherapy. The study suggests that radiation-immunotherapy combination strategies could improve patient outcomes by reshaping the surrounding immune landscape and recruiting T cells.
A new study has identified a two-protein complex involved in exporting R-loops, which triggers an immune response causing harmful inflammation. The study tested an approved drug called KPT-330 and found significant improvements in inflammation, liver damage, fat gain, muscle loss, and lifespan in preclinical models.
A recent study reveals that cancer cells within tumors are genetically diverse, yet all carry the same core genetic changes. The research found that these changes occur in sudden bursts, creating distinct subpopulations that influence tumor aggressiveness and treatment response.
Researchers developed a novel gene therapy platform that successfully restored muscle function in preclinical models of Duchenne muscular dystrophy by delivering full-length mRNA of the DMD gene via engineered extracellular vesicles. The treatment showed improved muscle strength, endurance, and function without serious side effects.
Researchers at UT MD Anderson Cancer Center have made significant advances in understanding cancer biology, developing AI-powered atlas of tertiary lymphoid structures as prognostic biomarkers, and uncovering drivers of resistance to KRAS inhibitors. Additionally, they have discovered a molecular pathway that drives stressed cells to b...
Senescent cells that stop dividing but don't die can become abnormally active, causing inflammation and instability in blood vessel plaques. The study found that losing key regulatory proteins activates the CD38 enzyme, leading to a higher risk of blood clots and cardiovascular events.
A Phase 3 trial showed a 56% reduction in the risk of disease progression or death for patients with BRAF V600E mutant metastatic colorectal cancer treated with a targeted therapy combination. The treatment improved median progression-free survival and overall survival, with nearly 75% of patients alive at 18 months.
A multicenter clinical trial found that implanting collagen tiles during brain surgery improved tumor control and lowered the risk of recurrence by 12.1% compared to current standard of care. Patients treated with tile-based radiation therapy (TBRT) had a median overall survival of 42.5 months, more than double the 17.6 months seen wit...
The WU-KONG28 trial found that sunvozertinib significantly extended progression-free survival to over 10 months, compared to 7.5 months with chemotherapy alone. The treatment also shrank tumors in 58.9% of patients.
A new study developed a spatial atlas of specialized immune structures, called tertiary lymphoid structures, across multiple cancer types. The atlas revealed that TLS maturation state, spatial location, and composition within tumors provide clinically meaningful information about cancer prognosis and treatment response.
Dr. Sharon Giordano and Dr. Eduardo Vilar-Sanchez receive ASCO Special Awards for their transformative work in breast cancer research and prevention, respectively. Their contributions advance understanding of cancer and improve patient outcomes.
Researchers at UT MD Anderson Cancer Center have uncovered genetic and cell-state adaptive mechanisms that drive resistance to KRAS inhibitors in patients with KRAS-mutant colorectal cancer. Targeting early inflammatory responses by adding TBK1 blockade may be a promising combination strategy to overcome treatment resistance.
Albert Koong has been appointed chief scientific officer at UT MD Anderson, overseeing laboratory and clinical research enterprise. He aims to create a resilient research enterprise that maintains the institution's position as a global leader in cancer care and research.
Researchers discovered a new gene expression signature linked to prolonged overall survival in patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer who responded to combined immune checkpoint inhibitors. The biomarker has the potential to help identify patients most likely to benefit from this treatment combination.
The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center has been awarded $19 million by CPRIT to support young cancer survivors, groundbreaking research, and faculty recruitment programs. The funding will enable UT MD Anderson to recruit world-class scientists and clinicians, pursue new discoveries, and accelerate cancer treatment advancements.
A study identified key tumor microenvironment features that can predict immunotherapy response in rare cancers, offering new insight into treatment options. The findings suggest that analyzing the tumor microenvironment beyond genomic analysis may help improve treatment selection for patients with rare cancers.
Researchers at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center have identified a new marker, FOXA1, which shows high sensitivity in diagnosing small cell carcinoma of the prostate. This breakthrough offers hope for improving patient care and prognostic decisions.
Researchers at UT MD Anderson Cancer Center have made significant advancements in cancer care, including the development of a targeted RAS inhibitor therapy for pancreatic cancer and a biomarker of chemotherapy resistance in relapsed lung cancer. The studies also explore the tumor microenvironment of triple-negative breast cancer and i...
Researchers developed a 13-gene panel and machine learning model to predict TNBC patient responses to chemotherapy, identifying macrophage subtypes associated with treatment outcomes. The study provides novel insights into the gene-expression programs and tumor microenvironment of early-stage triple-negative breast cancer.
The Phase 1/2 trial demonstrated a 29% response rate and median overall survival of 15.6 months, outperforming historical chemotherapy response rates. Daraxonrasib targets RAS in its 'on' state and has shown durable responses with a manageable safety profile.
Researchers at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center have identified specific blood-based genomic biomarkers that distinguish inflammatory breast cancer from other subtypes. The study used an improved method of RNA sequencing, called TGIRT sequencing, which allowed for a more comprehensive overview of all RNA types and amou...
Researchers at UT MD Anderson Cancer Center have made significant advancements in targeted therapy treatments for advanced lung cancer and early-stage classical Hodgkin lymphoma. The studies showcase high response rates with novel combination therapies and a new understanding of how an enzyme affects infertility and cancer progression.
Researchers have discovered a biomarker for chemotherapy resistance in small cell lung cancer, which can help identify cells that become more invasive and lead to treatment resistance. Targeting these cells with YAP1 may be a possible strategy to improve patient outcomes.
A study published in Cell Reports Medicine found that inhibiting RNase H2 can cause significant damage to DNA and activate the innate immune system to produce signals that attract T cells to attack the tumor. This approach could lead to improved patient outcomes for patients with triple-negative breast cancer.
Kim Slusser, Ph.D., R.N., is appointed as the institution’s inaugural chief nurse executive, overseeing over 5,400 nurses. She will champion innovation and compassion to deliver patient-centered care and foster interdisciplinary collaboration.
The Center for Cellular Language Intelligence will decipher the complex communications that govern tumor ecosystems, revealing principles of cellular organization and biological programs influencing cancer initiation and response. Led by Linghua Wang, the center aims to accelerate discovery and deliver new therapeutic targets, predicti...
A specific region of Dicer must be activated to achieve proper cell division and reproduction, a discovery that sheds light on the regulation of this enzyme's critical role in both cancer biology and fertility. This finding opens new avenues for studying how small epigenetic changes contribute to disease.
Researchers developed RF-SIRF, a quantitative method to detect and map reversed DNA replication forks with single-cell resolution. The study identified unique epigenetic codes for DNA replication stress that can be further examined to understand genomic stability, aging, and treatment response.
A new mathematical model called LFSPRO was developed to predict the risk of Li-Fraumeni Syndrome. The model provides a more quantitative risk estimate for individuals who would benefit from testing but do not meet established criteria.
A new analysis by researchers at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center demonstrates that combination therapy consisting of fludarabine, cytarabine and G-CSF (FLAG) plus gemtuzumab ozogamicin (GO) or idarubicin (IDA) delivers strong long-term outcomes for patients with CBF-AML. The five-year overall survival rate reached 74%...
A new treatment using low-dose nivolumab injections into precancerous oral lesions significantly reduced lesion size and risk of cancer progression. The study showed a 60% average reduction in lesion size and complete pathologic response in six patients, with no dose-limiting side effects.
Researchers developed an AI model called Path-IO that uses machine learning to predict responses to immunotherapy for patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer. The model accurately stratified patients into high-risk and low-risk groups, with patients in the high-risk group having double the risk of death or disease progression.
The Phase I MYTHIC trial demonstrated a strong synergy between zedoresertib and lunresertib, showing durable regressions and consistent tumor shrinkage in patients with ovarian cancer. The combination achieved an overall disease control rate of 68.5% and a molecular response rate of 47%.
Researchers from UT MD Anderson Cancer Center present studies on single-cell technologies, integrative computational approaches, and experimental therapeutics, highlighting innovations in mRNA vaccines and spatial multi-omics techniques. The studies aim to improve immunotherapy responses and detect treatment-resistant glioma cells.
James P. Allison, Ph.D., is recognized for his lifelong commitment to scientific discovery and seminal findings that launched the field of cancer immunotherapy. His work led to the development of ipilimumab, an antibody to human CTLA-4, approved as part of therapeutic regimens for multiple cancer types.
Dr. Jennifer Wargo has made groundbreaking contributions to defining the interplay between the microbiome, oncogenic signaling and tumor immunity, with a focus on immunotherapy responses and mechanisms of targeted therapy resistance in melanoma.
Researchers at UT MD Anderson have made significant advancements in cancer care, including a blood-based biomarker for cancer risk in people with Lynch Syndrome and a new target to sensitize pancreatic tumors to immunotherapy. The studies also identified a strategy to overcome radiation therapy resistance in lung cancer.
Researchers at the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center have identified a way lung cancer cells evade radiation therapy and developed a strategy to overcome this challenge using a DHODH inhibitor. The study found that inhibiting DHODH with leflunomide can help overcome radiation resistance by promoting ferroptosis, allowing ...
A study published in Cancer Research has identified DPY30 as an epigenetic target that can sensitize pancreatic tumors to immunotherapy. By modulating DNA replication stress, DPY30 promotes the addition of activation signals at stressed replication forks, supporting cancer cell survival and proliferation.
A new blood-based biomarker has been discovered to help identify individuals at higher risk of developing cancer in people with Lynch Syndrome. The biomarker uses immune signatures detected in blood samples to provide unique characteristics that can detect cancer risk, allowing for early detection and personalized surveillance.
Researchers at UT MD Anderson found that high-dose radiation delivery significantly improves patient outcomes, with a median survival of 28.7 months compared to 11.9 months for chemotherapy alone.
Researchers developed a novel antibody that targets the 4lg isoform of B7-H3, overexpressed in many cancer types. The antibody, BetaBart, has potential use as a radio-theranostic treatment that brings targeted radiation to tumor cells.
UT MD Anderson faculty members Theresa Guise and Stephanie Watowich have been elected as AAAS Fellows, honored for their outstanding contributions to science and society. Their research focuses on endocrinology and immunology, with breakthroughs in cancer treatment and patient care.
Blocking two key 'don't eat me signals' in cancer cells heightens the immune response and sensitizes tumors to immunotherapy in glioblastoma models. Researchers found that simultaneously blocking CD47 and CD24 improved immunotherapy response, allowing macrophages to better recognize and attack cancer cells.
A study by the University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center found that men with low testosterone levels are 60% more likely to have their prostate cancer progress to a more aggressive state during surveillance. Low testosterone may serve as a useful clinical marker to guide treatment and surveillance strategies.
Peter WT Pisters, MD, receives the prestigious Charles M. Balch, MD, Distinguished Service Award for his substantial contributions to surgical oncology through service, research, and leadership. He is recognized as a renowned cancer surgeon, researcher, and hospital administrator.
The James P. Allison Institute at UT MD Anderson Cancer Center appoints Eric Gardner, Betty Kim, Rodrigo Romero, and Hojong Yoon to advance immunotherapy research. These experts bring expertise in immune therapy resistance, cancer vaccines, bioengineering, tumor evolution, and drug development.